From UNMISET

Dili, June 27, 2003

Daily Media Review

Alkatiri: US Travel Warning To TL Does Not Make Sense

Prime Minister Alkatiri told the media on Thursday that the warning issued by the US State Department for its citizens to exercise "extreme cautious" when travelling to Timor-Leste, "does not make sense because the security in the country is stable". He said that he was surprised that a country like the US, which has been supporting Timor-Leste, could issue such statement. He added that Timor-Leste would like to cooperate with other countries to stop terrorist activities. (TP, STL, TVTL)

International Day for Victims of Torture Observed in TL

The International Day for Victims of Torture was observed on Thursday in Timor-Leste with various events in Dili. The day began with the lying of wreaths of flowers in the local port. Vice Speaker of Parliament Jacob Fernandes told Timor Post that torture should be a practice in Timor-Leste never again. He stressed that the celebration would remind the Timorese of those who died under torture oon the hands of the Indonesian military. (TP)

F-FDTL Major Maubuti Rejects Government Proposal on Special Forces

The Government plan to establish a Special Police Force for guerilla counter insurgency has not been welcomed by certain members of F-FDTL. Speaking to the media, F-FDTL Major Manuel Freitas, also known as Maubuti said that only the Armed Forces should be responsible for this area and not the police. Major Maubuti and his colleagues came to Dili to meet with the Armed Forces Chief of State, Lere Anan Timor, regarding his resignation statement. Maubuti said if Lere resigns all former Falintil members would join him. (TP, STL, TVTL)

Australia Donated Vehicles To F-FDTL

The Australian ambassador in Dili, Paul Foley, on Thursday donated eight trucks to the Timorese Armed Forces. It is reported that the vehicles plus some equipment and funds for maintenance and petrol are worth US$200,000. The donation was presented to the Defence Force Secretary Roque Rodrigues in F-FDTL Headquarters in Caicoli, Dili. (STL)

Former Indonesian President Concerned With Crime Activities in TL

Former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid is "concerned" with the possibility of Timor-Leste becoming a place where organized crimes like the mafias or the triads can freely move. "I'm concerned with the future of Timor-Leste (…) of which might reach a high living standards very fast. I'm afraid that if this is not achievable, the country could turn into a "recreational zone" for criminal organizations like the mafias and the triads," Abdurraham Wahid told Lusa news agency. Regardless of the warning, the former head of Indonesia State said he had faith in the Timorese political leaders, in particular Xanana Gusmão and José Ramos-Horta, in turning Timor-Leste into "a modern State" where it will not be possible for the development of such phenomenon. Regarding the Indonesian justice process in relation to the trials of those responsible for the violence committed in Timor-Leste in 1999, the former president is skeptic while changes are not introduced into the justice system. He added that "the tribunal is known for its corruption and there are no rules and influences. Everything is for sale. While this remain as it is, I do not believe that it will be possible to achieve justice for Timor-Leste". (Lusa)

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